Flame spreaders / Generators

Note: This web page is a joint effort between Bill Courter and myself. Bill provided some of the pictures and data used. Thanks Bill!

What does a flame spreader do?

Round wick lamps rely on hot air rising inside their chimney to pull fresh oxygen rich air into the burner to feed the flame. Their burners are designed to draw fresh air to the flame from both the inside and outside of the round wick. The flame spreader sits inside the round wick in the airflow path to redirect the air flow to the flame in order to oxygenate the fuel vapors coming off the wick. The design of the flame spreader determines how much air gets to the inside of the round wick and assures that the air is evenly distributed around the wick so that there is the correct air to fuel mixture for the fuel to burn hot and the wick to burn evenly. This means that for a flame spreader to work as designed it needs to be properly seated, free of excessive carbon build up and undamaged. Otherwise it will distribute air unevenly and cause the wick to burn unevenly. If the flame spreader is removed most of the air rising inside the round wick would go straight up the chimney and not provide oxygen to the flame.

Some history

The incandescent mantle and the kerosene mantle burner were invented in Germany during the late 1800's. The early burner designs used a flame spreader that was basically one or two brass discs attached to the top of a brass tube. The flame spreader's tube sat on a vertical pin located inside the inner wick tube. The disk at the top redirected the airflow towards the wick. This design was nicknamed a button generator or button flame spreader because the disc was the approximate size and shape of a common shirt button. Since a wick burned poorly without the flame spreader in place they were also called flame generators or just generators.

German industry saw a vast market in the United States and partnered with Americans to bring incandescent lamps to America. Burners, wicks, mantles and chimneys were imported from Germany and fitted to American made lamp fonts to be sold by American entrepreneurs. During the first decade of the 1900's there were at least a dozen US based incandescent lamp companies that sprang up to sell lamps with burners imported from Germany mounted on lamp bases manufactured in the United States. The Mantle Lamp Company (Aladdin) was one such company. Their first products were Practicus lamps which used an imported German burner mounted on a lamp base made by Plume & Atwood. The people at Aladdin and Plume & Atwood decided that they could design a better burner and the Aladdin model 1 was born using a variation of the standard German button flame spreader.

Meanwhile, Ehrich & Graetz (E&G) in Germany had developed a new kind of incandescent lamp flame spreader that was a cylinder with a flat top and rows of holes around the side near the top. Its design was a variation of the flame spreader in use by the round wick lamps but designed specifically to provide the correct airflow for their mantle lamps. Aladdin quickly saw the advantages in this design and initially came up with the model 2 flame spreader. They continued the development of their flame spreader through the years. Other companies that manufactured incandescent burners in the United States soon switched over to the flat top thimble shape flame spreader design as well. These were called thimble type flame spreaders in that they resembled the common sewing thimble

World war I changed the incandescent lamp industry in America. The trade with Germany was eliminated throughout WWI. American mantle lamp companies that used German burners and could not quickly come up with an American made burner went out of business. Also brass became harder to get and lamp companies that were poorly financed went out of business. It wasn't until the mid 1930's that German made incandescent lamps returned to the United States.

The American incandescent lamp industry standardized on seven eighths inch diameter thimble type flame spreaders around one inch tall. which is why Aladdin model 4 through 6 flame spreaders will fit almost all the other American company lamps made before the end of WWII.

Incandescent mantle lamps burn a lot hotter than non incandescent lamps and the thin wall thimble style brass flame spreaders get a lot hotter. The brass between holes would soon burn out with daily use. Starting with the model 5 flame spreader Aladdin switched from brass to a nickel steel alloy for its flame spreaders. This non-magnetic alloy does not rust and has a higher melting temperature than brass so it has a longer service life. Around this time the incandescent lamp industry also switched over to a nickel steel alloy for their flame spreaders.

The Aladdin flame spreaders from model 5 through model 11 used a brass cylinder inside the lower nickel steel cylinder as a baffle to reduce air flow through the lower 2 or 3 rows of air holes. The baffle was patented by Aladdin (1211163) so is unique to Aladdin flame spreaders (Filed 25 Feb 1913 by V. S. Johnson, granted 2 Jan 1917. Drawing of baffle from patent). The purpose of the patent was to minimize heat flow down from flame spreader to the inner wick tube.

When the manufacture of Aladdin burners was moved to Hong Kong the Aladdin flame spreaders were again made from brass.

If the flame spreader consists of a brass tube with one of more discs (button type) it was manufactured prior to 1920. Most of these belong to early German designed and manufactured burners. If the thimble type flame spreader has a seven eighths inch diameter it was made to fit an American manufactured burner. If the thimble type flame spreader is smaller than seven eighths inch diameter it is likely from an early German incandescent burner. If the thimble type flame spreader is larger then seven eighths inch diameter it is likely from a E&G designed burner manufactured after WWI by either E&G in Germany or Veritas in the UK. Luckily most of the Aladdin and some of the other company flame spreaders are embossed with the company and model name. This makes identifying those flame spreader a snap

If the thimble type flame spreader is large and has a flat round disk or cap at or near the top it is for around wick lamp that does not use a mantle.

Examples of common round wick lamp flame spreaders.
The one on the left is missing a flat sheet steel
ring that sits near the top so might get mistaken as being a very large flame spreader for a mantle lamp.

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Aladdin flame spreader interchangeability

You may have a lamp you want to use that is missing a flame spreader, has a damaged flame spreader or uses a rare flame spreader that you want to keep in top condition. Aladdin specified that their model 6 flame spreader could be used on model 4, 5 and 6 lamps and that the model 11 flame spreader could be used on model 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 lamps. Aladdin manufactured model 6 and 11 flame spreaders until the tooling was destroyed in a flood during 1955. Aladdin changed the name they called the flame spreader in 1928. Before 1928 they were called generators. When the model 12 lamp was introduced they started calling them flame spreaders. Model 6 and 11 flame spreaders labeled flame spreader were all manufactured between 1928 and 1955 as replacement flame spreaders to keep the older lamps in use. The Aladdin model 6 flame spreader can be thought of as a universal donor for other brands of American mantle lamp that used a thimble style flame spreader. It is the same diameter and approximate height so can be used in a pinch when an original flame spreader is missing, damaged or considered too rare to use.

The Aladdin flame spreader introduced with the model 12 lamp can be used on models 12, A, B, C Nashville and Brazil, 14 (Super Aladdin), 16A, 16B (In Australia), 21, 21C, 23 and 23A burners. If you encounter a brass flame spreader that seems just a little too wide to fit your burner it is likely one of the early Hong Kong flame spreaders. The very earliest model 23 burner manufactured in Hong Kong in 1974 through 1977 used parts that were slightly oversize including the flame spreader. You should always use the original flame spreader with this burner. This burner can be identified by the wick raiser knob. It is labeled "23 Aladdin" and does not have a representation of the Aladdin's lamp on the wick riser.

About the baffles on US Aladdin model 4 and through 11 flame spreaders
From The Mystic Light, volume 28, No. 3 by Bill Courter, used with permission

* The purpose of the brass inner sleeve, called a baffle is to reduce the temperature of the inner wick tube. Heating of the inner wick tube (and the wick) is a major cause of increased fuel vaporization and "creeping up" of the flame (leading to black spot, sooting and run-away). The baffle sleeve is designed to provide insulation from the heat of the flame. The patent shows that this is accomplished by an air space created by a step or an offset to provide an air space between the inner wick tube and the baffle. The baffle covers the lower 2 or 3 rows of holes in the flame spreader to both move the flame to a more desirable higher position and help with cooling the upper part of the baffle. Some late model 6 flame spreaders labeled "Model 6 Flame spreader"manufactured as replacement flame spreaders do not have a baffle.

* This is a condensed version of the text. Please refer to the Vol 28, No 3 issue of The Mystic Light if you wish additional information.

From early on other companies using thimble flame spreaders have tackled the inner tube heating problem in different ways including dimples in the lower side of the flame spreader or corrugations along the lower side to minimize physical contact between the inner wick tube and the flame spreader, providing an air gap to help cool the inner wick tube.

Brass, top disk 7/8" dia, overall length 2-1/4". Two versions: Version illustrated has 10 holes in top disk and no holes in lower disk. Second version has ten holes in top disk and 10 holes in lower disk.

Note: There are multiple Felbollin burners that are very similar plus Felbollin burners made specifically for the American market sold to United Factories and marketed under the name Wonder Lamp. In the United States these burners were offered both as stand alone burners as upgrades to owners of flat wick lamps and they were paired with founts offered by either Plume & Atwood or Edward Miller & Co.

The early version of this lamp sold in the US used this flame spreader. Later versions of the Fellboelin burner used a thimble type flame spreader.

San Diego flame spreader
Manufactured by Bradly and Hubbard
This is a hybrid two section flame spreader that has some aspects of a button flame spreader
and some aspects of a thimble flame spreader

Fits inside top of inner wick tube with holes exposed

Top part of the flame spreader is permanently mounted to the gallery with three small brass arms

Brass, with a top and bottom section. Bottom section 7/8" dia, 5/8" tall. Top section has hollow tube at top that holds a ceramic rod with a forked top. The Ceramic rod is the mount for an unmounted mantle.

Note: Introduced in 1906 this was the first thimble flame spreader made by E&G

Kronos flame spreader
Manufactured by Hugo Schneider, Germany

Brass, 11/16" dia at top, 21/32" dia at base, 1-1/8" tall. Nine rows of small holes on upper side, single row of larger holes just below where the diameter narrows down. Three pairs of vertical dimples equally space along lower side. Single slot at base.

Note: This flame spreader was used on all the Kronos series burners. Kronos burners sold in the U.S. were sold on Edward Miller lamp fonts. Flame spreaders used on the Kronos 1911 burner had "M 1911" embossed on the top.

Candesco 1933 flame spreader
Manufactured by Ehrich & Graetz (Has one of their logos on burner)

Nickel steel, 11/16" dia, 1-1/16" tall, large row of holes at lower side of indentation plus 8 rows of smaller rows on upper side of flame spreader. Single slot at bottom rim.

Note: the burner is also known as the Candesco 80cp burner. This was the last of the Candesco series burners.

Note: These were used on the last versions of the Fellboelin burner. All the earlier versions of this burner used a button type flame spreader. When mounted on the lamp only the top 8 rows of holes are exposed.

Photo courtesy of Bill Courter

Believed to be Radia flame spreader
manufactured by August Gamache, Quebec, Canada

Brass, Diameter changes between row 4 and row 5 of the holes. 9/16ths dia at top, 11/16ths dia at base, 6 rows of holes. Single slot at base.

Note: The Adia burner was introduced around 1906 or 07 about 1 or 2 years before Plume & Atwood used the same design flame spreader for their Sunbeam and Beacon side draft burners. Then later for the Aladdin model 2. I wonder if the design similarities are a coincidence.

Note: Flame spreaders made from brass were made in China for Chinese manufactured model 23, 23A and MAXBRITE 500 burners. The nickel steel flame spreaders were used on all English 23 and earlier US model burners. This Aladdin flame spreader, introduced with the model 12 lamp, has undergone several minor changes over the decades. Some have slightly different heights. Others have different sizes for the side and and top holes. The diameter of the flat section at the center of the inverted cone top has changed size over time. The important thing is that they are almost all interchangeable. The exception is the very earliest model 23 burner manufactured in Hong Kong during 1974 through 1977. The burner parts were slightly oversize including the flame spreader. You should always use the original flame spreader with this burner. This burner can be identified by the wick raiser knob. It is labeled "23 Aladdin" and does not have a representation of the Aladdins lamp on the wick riser. Except for this burner any of these flame spreaders are interchangeable for models 12 and newer. Note that the two pictured flame spreaders have different size flat sections at the bottom of the inverted cone and a different size hole at the top center. The height is the same as are the holes on the side.

The very late production model 23A and the MAXBRITE 500 flame spreaders only have a single notch on the underside of the flame spreader. Earlier versions had the two notches. The MAXBRITE flame spreader will fit Aladdin model 12 and newer burners except for the very early model 23 burners made in China.

Note: The side draft burners were sold by both Miller and Lumo as upgrades for lamps that came with a flat wick. All the Sundart lamps and Lumo lamps came with center draft burners. This burner was sold by Lumo and Miller's Sundart brand as stand alone burners only and not on lamps.

Thimble style labeled flame spreaders seven eights inch diameter

Aladdin model 4 flame spreader
manufactured by Plume & Atwood

Brass, 7/8" dia 1" tall

Note: All were labeled "4A". This was the first Aladdin flame spreader to make use of a brass baffle inside. This is a sleeve that covers the lower 3 rows of holes. This baffle is high enough that you can not see it by looking at the slots at the base of the flame spreader. After the model 4 flame spreader was discontinued, Aladdin recommended the model 6 flame spreader as a replacement.

Note: This was Aladdin's first nickel steel flame spreader. It does not rust, is non-magnetic and can withstand higher temperatures than brass. When the model 5 flame spreader was discontinued Aladdin recommended the model 6 flame spreader as a replacement.

The Aladdin model 6 flame spreaders were in production from 1914 through 1955. In 1928 Aladdin stopped calling their flame spreaders "generators" and started referring to them as "flame spreaders". Bottom left is the earliest version, followed by the top right. The underlined version was introduced when the model 9 lamp was introduced to help people differentiate between model 6 and model 9 flame spreaders. The top left flame spreader was introduced in 1928.

Nickel steel, 7/8" dia. 5 rows of holes on the side plus one row of holes on the diagonal top.

Note: The model 6 flame spreaders were factory recommended for use on the models 4, 5 and 6 lamps.

Nickel steel with inner brass baffle, 7/8" dia, 1" tall without brass baffle, 1-1/2" tall with brass baffle. Baffle reduces air flow through bottom two rows on the side of the flame spreader and is held in place by three punched dimples.

Nickel steel with inner brass sleeve, 7/8" dia, 1" tall without brass baffle, 1-1/2" tall with brass baffle. Baffle reduces air flow through bottom two rows on the side of the flame spreader and is held in place by three punched dimples.

Nickel steel with inner brass baffle, 7/8" dia, 1" tall without brass baffle, 1-1/2" tall with brass baffle. Baffle reduces air flow through bottom two rows on the side of the flame spreader and is held in place by three punched dimples.

Nickel steel with inner brass baffle, 7/8" dia, 1" tall without brass baffle, 1-1/2" tall with brass baffle. Baffle reduces air flow through bottom two rows on the side of the flame spreader and is held in place by three punched dimples.

Nickel steel with inner brass baffle, 7/8" dia, 1" tall without brass baffle, 1-1/2" tall with brass baffle. Baffle reduces air flow through bottom two rows on the side of the flame spreader and is held in place by three punched dimples.

UK version has flat top and ring of holes on the top. There are seven rows of holes on side.
US versions have five rows of holes on side plus one
row on the beveled top edge.

Note: The model 11 flame spreaders were factory recommended for use on the models 7, 8, 9, and 10 lamps. The name "generator" was changed to "flame spreader" in 1928.

Thimble style flame spreaders larger then seven eighths inch diameter

Note: a few of these lamps have been found with the Famos 120 flame spreader and a carbon build up that suggests that they have been used for some time on these lamps. Since the Burner on this Wards lamp is essentially the same as the burner on the Famos 120 it is possible that E&G shipped some lamps to the US with the Famos flame spreader.

Brass, 1-2/4" dia, 1-5/8" tall. 14 rows of holes. Diameter widens very slightly just below bottom row of holes. This is the stop for locating the flame spreader in the inner wick tube.

Note: When Germany went to war with the UK the mantle lamps Ward was importing from Germany were no longer available. Ward went to Bradly & Hubbard and asked them to develop a mantle lamp for them. B&H made one based upon the Rayo round wick lamp. This lamp was sold in the 1940-1941 catalogs until the US entered the war and brass became a restricted metal.